Dental implant treatment is a multi-step process that is a bit different for each patient. Some individuals need preliminary procedures, such as a bone graft, before they can move forward with the rest of their tooth replacement journey. Why is bone grafting sometimes necessary prior to dental implant placement, and how can you tell if you need it? This blog post provides helpful information.
What Does Bone Grafting Accomplish?
When your jawbone has experienced deterioration or lacks sufficient density or strength, dental implants may not properly integrate with the bone. In other words, they are at a higher risk of failure! Bone grafting serves as a preparatory step that strengthens the jawbone and creates a more hospitable environment for prosthetic tooth roots. This surgical process adds material to the bone and facilitates natural tissue regeneration, resulting in a larger and stronger jaw.
Reasons Why a Bone Graft Might Be Necessary
Bone grafting is not always necessary before dental implant placement. During your consultation, your dental team will let you know if you need this preliminary procedure. It might be required due to the following circumstances:
- Bone resorption due to tooth loss: When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in the area can begin to shrink and weaken over time due to lack of stimulation. Therefore, the longer it has been since you lost your natural teeth, the more likely it is that a bone graft will be necessary.
- Damage from advanced gum disease: Periodontal disease can cause significant deterioration of the jawbone.
- Traumatic injuries: Accidents or physical trauma can lead to fractures or defects in the jawbone that lead to the need for a graft.
- Congenital defects: Individuals with genetic conditions or developmental abnormalities may have insufficient bone structure, which can sometimes be corrected through grafting procedures.
- Bone thinning due to long-term denture use: Prolonged use of dentures can accelerate bone loss, creating the need for grafting to reestablish a firm base for implants.
What to Expect with Bone Grafting
The bone grafting process typically involves several steps. During your initial consultation, your dental provider will evaluate your jawbone through imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT scans. These assessments help determine if bone grafting is appropriate for your situation.
If you require bone grafting, the procedure involves placing graft material, which can be derived from your own body (autograft), a donor source (allograft), or synthetic materials, onto the area of your jawbone that needs reinforcement. The graft material is secured to the existing bone, and over time your body should naturally integrate it into the jaw.
After the procedure, you may experience mild swelling or discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medication or cold compresses. Healing time varies depending on the type of graft and your individual circumstances, but the graft typically requires several months to fully fuse with the jawbone. During this period, follow-up appointments will help monitor the healing process. Once your jawbone achieves the desired stability, you will be ready to proceed with dental implant placement. (In certain cases, a bone graft may be performed simultaneously with dental implant placement.)
Bone grafting can promote the long-term success of your new smile! Talk to your dentist to learn more about this procedure.
Meet the Practice
At Charm Smile Dental in Concord, all three of our dentists enjoy helping patients rebuild smiles with dental implants. Dr. Niraja Patel has even completed the Hiossen Implant Master and Guided Bone Graft Regeneration courses. If you are interested in learning more about how to replace your lost teeth, we would be pleased to answer your questions. Contact our office at 603-228-0123.